The focused group discussion (FGD) will be in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The confab aims at generating awareness  on the framework for mainstreaming DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in Local Development Planning and Decision-Making Processes (LDP-DMP).

The conferees will also tap potential partners for continuing research, training on disaster and climate change mainstreaming and other future project activities.

“We are preparing a wider perspective to counter disaster problem and climate change,” said Northern Mindanao National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Leon M. Dacanay.

He said the recent calamities in Luzon “gave us some lessons learned.”

The focused group will also launch the project, dubbed as "Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Local Development Planning and Decision- Making Processes."

Expected to participate in the FGD are local chief executives, heads of national government/regional line agencies, non-government/people’s organizations, academe and academic institutions and the private sector, including the religious, cultural and social organizations.

Also included in that meeting is the survey of institutional capacity for disaster risk and climate change, information system and assessment of the functional areas, starting with the current capacity/capability and roles of the stakeholders.

The DRR is conceived as a defense against hazardous impacts on climate change and variability, such as, extended droughts and flash floods, among others.

Included in the survey are the operational issues, particularly, the needed resources, identified gaps, desired expansion services, respective mid-term/long-term plans and programs and cooperation and coordination, as well as, willingness of the stakeholders to collaborate among themselves.

The topics to be discussed are the result of the recent full Cabinet meeting in Loboc, Bohol presided by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.